Best 9 Chicago Style Italian Spaghetti Sauce Recipes

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Chicago-style Italian spaghetti sauce is a slow-simmered, deeply flavorful sauce that embodies the essence of Italian American cuisine. With its bold flavors, rich aroma, and hearty texture, it is a beloved staple in Chicago and beyond, often served with spaghetti, meatballs, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a kitchen novice, this guide will provide you with a comprehensive recipe to create an authentic Chicago-style Italian spaghetti sauce that will delight your taste buds and transport you to the heart of Chicago's culinary scene.

Let's cook with our recipes!

HOMEMADE ITALIAN SPAGHETTI SAUCE RECIPE



Homemade Italian Spaghetti Sauce Recipe image

Here is my family spaghetti sauce recipe passed down from my grandmother in Italy - it is the best one you will ever cook - don't trust me - try it!

Provided by Lauren Cobello

Time 3h20m

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 TSBP olive oil
1/2 onion (finely chopped)
4 cloves of garlic (minced)
3 28 oz. cans of Crushed Tomatoes
1 Tbsp Salt
4 Tbsp Basil
1 tsp Black pepper
1 Tbsp Sugar (optional)
1/3 cup Grated Parmesan or Romano Cheese

Steps:

  • Heat the olive oil in a 5+ qt. pot over medium heat, and add the onion.
  • Saute for 10 minutes or so, stirring often and being careful not to burn it.
  • Add the chopped or pressed garlic.
  • Heat for another one to two minutes, making sure not to burn the garlic, then add all the tomatoes, salt, black pepper, basil, and sugar. Stirring often, bring to a low boil.
  • Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2-3 hours stirring often.
  • For the first half of the simmer time, do so with the pot uncovered, then cover.
  • Add the cheese, stir in and simmer for an additional 5 minutes or so.
  • This will make the equivalent of 4-5 jars of sauce, and the cost is probably about half (and it tastes way better).

OLD WORLD ITALIAN SPAGHETTI SAUCE



Old World Italian Spaghetti Sauce image

This is a great old world Family recipe. Its also great with italian sausage,or meatballs. Just stir often while cooking when using meats.

Provided by FarahC

Categories     Sauces

Time 3h25m

Yield 12-14 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
1 (28 ounce) can tomato puree
2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 cup onion, chopped
3 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 1/2 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 cup dry red wine
2 1/2 cups water

Steps:

  • In a large stockpot on low-med heat add your olive oil and saute your onions for about 4 minutes,then add your crushed garlic,cook for 2 minutes longer. Then add your water,and tomato products. Be sure to mix everything very well.Add in your spices,and cheese. cook for 2 1/2 hours covered.Then add in your wine, and cook 30 minutes longer. Sauce will be thin on first day.Also if you use meat it will alter thickness.The second day this turns into a nice thick sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 158.6, Fat 5.2, SaturatedFat 1, Cholesterol 1.8, Sodium 647.1, Carbohydrate 25.2, Fiber 5.2, Sugar 9.7, Protein 5.5

REAL ITALIAN SPAGHETTI SAUCE



Real Italian Spaghetti Sauce image

My mother who is Italian-born was taught this recipe by her mother before teaching me. I hope you enjoy it.

Provided by Tina Dirmyer

Categories     Sauces

Time 3h30m

Yield 3-4 quarts

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 -3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 lb pork ribs
1 (28 ounce) can tomato puree
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
2 tablespoons parsley
2 tablespoons basil
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder

Steps:

  • In a large dutch oven, heat the olive oil.
  • Add onions& garlic and cook until just beginning to brown.
  • Add Pork and cook until browned on all sides.
  • Add Tomato Puree and Crushed Tomatoes and stir well.
  • Add spices (add more or less to your liking) and bring to a boil, stirring often, for about 20 minutes Turn heat down to low and simmer for about 2-2 1/2 hours, stirring often.

CHICAGO ITALIAN BEEF



Chicago Italian Beef image

Provided by Food Network

Time P2DT3h30m

Yield 1 sandwich

Number Of Ingredients 30

Baguette (if I have to tell you what kind of bread to use, you probably shouldn't be making this sandwich)
Roast and Beef Juice, recipe follows
3 Sweet Peppers, recipe follows
Giardiniera, recipe follows
1 cup Italian seasoning
1 cup fine sea salt
1/3 cup ground black pepper
1/4 cup granulated garlic
1/4 cup granulated onion
1/4 cup dried oregano
One 1 1/2- to 2-pound sirloin roast
1/4 cup olive oil
Beef base, if needed
1 green bell pepper
Extra-virgin olive oil, for cooking
Salt and pepper
3 cups white vinegar
3 tablespoons fine sea salt
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons oregano
2 1/2 tablespoons crushed red pepper
2 teaspoons black pepper
2 carrots
2 stalks celery
2 yellow onions
2 green bell peppers
2 red bell peppers
2 jalapenos
1 serrano pepper
1 cup olive oil

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Cut bread two-thirds of the way through. Toast bread in oven until crispy on outside.
  • Drop sliced Roast into simmering Beef Juice. Jam beef in baguette. Dip sammich in beef juice pot.
  • Drop Sweet Peppers into Beef Juice to get hot and wet.
  • Add Giardiniera to sammich. Drape peppers across the beef.
  • Serve with more Beef Juice on the side.
  • Mix together the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, granulated garlic and onion and oregano in a bowl until combined.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Cover roast with spice mix (you will have some spice mix left over). Drizzle olive oil over top of roast. Place roast on a rack with water in the bottom of the pan (don't let the water touch the meat). Roast until the internal temperature registers 118 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 1 hour. Let roast cool. Reserve the juice.
  • Thin-slice roast, as thin as you can. Can't slice thin? You are screwed. Or you can buy your chef friend a six-pack and she will do it for you. Save beef scraps!
  • Portion roast slices into 5- to 7-ounce balls.
  • Pour all the extra juice and beef scraps in a pot. If there's not enough juice, add some beef base and some water. Taste. Make sure it's not too salty. Simmer for 1 hour, strain and put juice back on to simmer.
  • Split pepper in half, then clean white membrane out of it. Cut halves into thirds.
  • Heat saute pan on high heat. Once hot, add olive oil. Drop in peppers skin-side down. Add a pinch of salt and pepper. Let pepper blister and char, then flip peppers and cook for another 2 minutes. Turn heat off and let peppers rest.
  • Put the vinegar, salt, garlic, oregano, crushed red pepper, black pepper and 2 cups cold water into a 4-quart container and stir until the salt has dissolved.
  • Cut carrots, celery, onions, green peppers and red peppers into 1/3-inch uniform dice.
  • Thinly slice jalapenos and serrano (approximately 1/8-inch thick).
  • Place cut veggies into brine and stir well until all ingredients are combined.
  • Cover and refrigerate for 2 days. Stir in olive oil.

CHICAGO STYLE SPAGHETTI SAUCE



CHICAGO STYLE SPAGHETTI SAUCE image

Categories     Sauce     Tomato

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 lb. Hamburger
1 Medium Onion
4 tbls. Olive Oil
1/2 c. Celery
2 Cans of Tomato Paste
1 Can Tomato Sauce
21/2 c. Tomato Juice
1 Medium Lemon
1 c. Red Wine
1/4 teas. Black Pepper
1/4 teas. Ceyenne Pepper
1/4 teas. Dry Mustard
2 tbls. Chopped Parsley
1/2 teas. Salt
1/14 teas. Basil
1/4 teas. Oregano
1 Bay Leaf
1 teas. Fennel Seed

Steps:

  • Saute onions and celery in olive oil until golden brown add hamburger and brown. Drain and add to a large stock pan. Combine remaining ingredients and simmer over low heat for 11/2 hours stirring frequently.

TRADITIONAL ITALIAN SAUCE



Traditional Italian Sauce image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dinner Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 16

1/2 cup plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, peeled and halved
1/4 pound piece spiced pancetta
10 cloves garlic (5 pressed, 2 finely chopped, 3 cracked)
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 thirty-five-ounce cans plum tomatoes, pureed in a blender
1 twenty-eight-ounce can tomato puree
6 large fresh basil leaves
2 medium lean beef cutlets (about 9 ounces each)
1 tablespoon fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
2 teaspoons freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese, plus more for garnish
4 to 5 links sweet pork sausage with fennel (about 3/4 pound)
4 pork spare ribs (about 3/4 pound)
1/2 cup white wine
Meatballs With Eleanora Meatballs with Eleanora
1 pound pasta, such as ziti, penne, or pennoni

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, heat 1/4 cup oil over medium heat. Add onion, pancetta, pressed garlic, and salt; saute; 2 minutes. Stir in pureed tomatoes, tomato puree, and basil. Bring to a simmer, and cook for 45 minutes. Remove and discard onion halves.
  • Place beef cutlets on work surface. Sprinkle each piece with 2 teaspoons olive oil, 1 clove finely chopped garlic, 1 teaspoon parsley, and 1 teaspoon cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Roll beef, and tie with kitchen twine.
  • Heat remaining 1/4 cup oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add cracked garlic, and cook for 2 minutes. Place rolled beef, sausage, and spare ribs in skillet and cook until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Add wine, and cook for 2 minutes. Remove browned meat from pan, and add to sauce along with meatballs.
  • Add 2 cups water, and return to a simmer. Cook, stirring frequently, over medium heat for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
  • Just before sauce is finished bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook until al dente, following package instructions. Drain, and transfer to a large serving platter. Stir sauce to combine, and ladle sauce over pasta. Serve meats on a separate platter. Sprinkle cheese over pasta and meats.

CHUNKY ITALIAN SPAGHETTI SAUCE



Chunky Italian Spaghetti Sauce image

Zesty traditional spaghetti sauce.

Provided by Soulfood

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes     Tomato

Time 45m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 (16 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons white sugar
2 teaspoons dried parsley
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon dried basil
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Combine diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, garlic powder, sugar, parsley, salt, oregano, basil, and pepper in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Lower heat to medium-low, cover saucepan, and simmer until flavors blend, about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 75.8 calories, Carbohydrate 15.1 g, Fat 0.3 g, Fiber 3.5 g, Protein 3.4 g, Sodium 1166.3 mg, Sugar 11.1 g

ITALIAN PASTA SAUCE



Italian Pasta Sauce image

I picked up this recipe when I lived in Italy; everyone loves it. Thought it was time to share! The Merlot and chicken granules are very important ingredients that set this recipes aside from other sauces.

Provided by Celeste Debruzzi

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes     Pasta Sauce Recipes     Tomato

Time 1h15m

Yield 18

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 large cloves garlic, minced
2 (28 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
¾ cup Merlot wine
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
3 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
3 tablespoons dried basil leaves
3 tablespoons Italian seasoning
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir onion and garlic in hot oil until the onion is translucent, 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Sit tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, wine, tomato paste, chicken bouillon granules, basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper with the onion mixture. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to low, and cook at a simmer, stirring frequently, for 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 63.5 calories, Carbohydrate 10.1 g, Cholesterol 0.1 mg, Fat 1.2 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 2.4 g, SaturatedFat 0.2 g, Sodium 788.1 mg, Sugar 6.3 g

ITALIAN PASTA SAUCE



Italian Pasta Sauce image

As a special part of their wedding buffet, my daughter Kris' husband fixed a big batch of this thick flavorful pasta sauce. The recipe was brought by his grandmother from Italy more than 80 years ago. -Judy Braun, Juneau, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 2h55m

Yield 20 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

4 pounds ground beef
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 celery ribs, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cans (28 ounces each) crushed tomatoes in puree
3 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste
3 cups chicken or beef broth
1 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
3/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1 tablespoon sugar
2 to 3 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice, optional
Hot cooked pasta

Steps:

  • In a Dutch oven or soup kettle, cook beef in 2 batches over medium heat until no longer pink; drain and set aside. Cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain and set aside. In the same pan, saute onion, celery and garlic in oil until vegetables are tender. , Return the beef and sausage to the pan. Add the next 9 ingredients, including allspice if desired, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until sauce reaches desired thickness, stirring occasionally, 2-3 hours. Serve over pasta.Freeze option: Freeze cooled sauce in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally. Add a little broth or water if necessary.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 284 calories, Fat 15g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 57mg cholesterol, Sodium 821mg sodium, Carbohydrate 16g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 23g protein.

Tips:

  • Use ripe tomatoes: The best Chicago-style Italian spaghetti sauce starts with ripe, juicy tomatoes. If you can, use fresh tomatoes from your garden or a local farmer's market. If you're using canned tomatoes, look for a brand that uses whole, peeled tomatoes and doesn't add any salt or sugar.
  • Brown the meat: Browning the meat in a hot skillet before adding it to the sauce will help develop its flavor and give the sauce a richer color.
  • Simmer the sauce for a long time: The longer the sauce simmers, the better the flavors will meld together. Aim for at least 2 hours, but you can simmer the sauce for up to 4 hours if you have time.
  • Use fresh herbs: Fresh herbs, such as basil, oregano, and thyme, will add a bright, lively flavor to the sauce. Add them towards the end of the cooking time so that they don't lose their flavor.
  • Season the sauce to taste: Be sure to taste the sauce before serving and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may want to add more salt, pepper, or garlic powder to taste.

Conclusion:

Chicago-style Italian spaghetti sauce is a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used on pasta, pizza, or as a dipping sauce for breadsticks. With its rich, savory flavor, this sauce is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a delicious and easy-to-make sauce, give Chicago-style Italian spaghetti sauce a try!

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